Monday, December 27, 2010

After Thanksgiving, our family went to DC for the day. DD wanted to visit the National Gallery of Art and the Natural History Museum. We live about 45 minutes from DC, so we are fortunate to visit the wonderful historical treasures. The above picture is a foyer area of the National Gallery

This is a hallway that had marble sculptures. The sculptures were amazing. There was such intricate details craved into the marble pieces. I would just stand there and stare at the beauty.

This piece is a sculpture of the first African-American units of the Civil War. This is a bronze monument by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. You can see the depth of this piece. The detail again is amazing. I sat in that room for some time just looking at this piece.

Now this is the foyer area of the Natural History Museum. The museum was closed for a while to be refurbished. The grand elephant is what you see when you enter the museum. There is sooo much to see. Since we live close, I have visited the museum for field trips with my children. We got to see the Hope Diamond and all the many beautiful gem pieces. I also saw the largest octopus!!

If you have a chance to visit DC plan to spend some time in the museums.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Well it is evening and our feast is over. The gifts have been opened and laughter filled our house!My family had a wonderful time together. I did receive sewing related gifts. I will post about those soon. Also, I gave gifts that I sewed. Last night, we went to the children's service at our church. Our dear pastor did a fabulous job of telling/teaching the birth of Jesus to the children in attendance. There were Christmas carols that coordinated with each part of the story. The final song was "Go Tell It On the Mountain". I leave you with this line: "Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere. Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born."

Thursday, November 25, 2010

I hope everyone is having a wonderful time of fellowship with family and friends today!

Our home was filled with family and tons of food!! I did most of the cooking since my Mom recently had a spill and broke her elbow. My man made a turkey breast, pork loin and London broil. Ten pounds of potatoes were peeled and mashed along with stuffing, two pies (apple & pumpkin, sauerkraut and string beans. My SIL made pecan pie, broccoli salad and sweet potatoes!

I did get up and hit the gym first thing! I powered walked over three miles. I hoped the mileage balanced out the food that I consumed.

I have been thinking about what I am thankful for this year. Life trials this year have taught me much about myself. Getting to serve fellow teachers who had life changes stretched me. I needed stretching!! My family (DH, DD & DS) are such a blessing!

I need to thank all the sewing bloggers who inspire, instruct and share their creative garments and projects!! Any time of the day or night I can get my fill of sewing loveliness from every one's blogs.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Inside the Oct/Nov issue of Vogue patterns mag were instructions for "neck rings".

I did not have any splashy scarves to wear with my black wool coat and I got inspired by the neck rings.

First, I saw this sweater like knit and I liked the color combination. Two years ago, I made a Jalie top with the same type of knit from JoAnn's, but it did not wear well. The front of the top got that worn pilly look to it. So, I did not want to put the time into a top, but I thought it would make a lovely accessory for my coat.

Next, while browsing I found this furry zebra fabric that I feel in love with. I had no idea how you would sew a garment with it, but boy I knew it would make a knock out scarf!

Well this little gal was to be my parting shot! This is Audrey our beagle. She was watching me as I took the pics of the coat/scarves. She is a rescue beagle and she is very shy. If anyone has any suggestions on how to bring her out of her shell, please let me know!

Here is the scarf with the coat-WOW-I love it! I usually don't get that excited about animal prints, but this just called me!!!! My DD (college) even liked it. You know you have a hit when your DD likes it.

Here is the fabric close up and personal. It has these stringy pieces that stick out from the base fabric.

These neck rings/scarves are so quick to make. They would make great gifts for Christmas. I already bought fabric to make my co-teacher scarves for her birthday.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

School was starting and I needed another skirt. I had New Look 6843 cut out from last summer. The fabric was a shirting from JoAnn's. It looks white, but it a light/pale green. I made this pattern before two times. What I learned from the last two skirts, was to underline!!! Now, I must tell you that the underlining idea did come from me. Carolyn of Diary of a Sewing Fanatic has passed on her sewing wisdom, and underlining is one of them! Wow the underlining makes such a difference. The skirt does not wrinkle and if hangs beautifully. Now the skirt does not look like much by its self, until you see it with the blouse.

The blouse was on the clearance rack at Dress Barn. I could not pass it by. It has ruffles down the front. My shoulders look great with the neck treatment.

See the ruffles!!

The back it very cute! It is a great little top for the summer!

What is on my cutting table now? Another NL skirt.

It is Sunday evening and I am getting ready for the week ahead. I am going to make a sewing plan for this week. I will write down at least one sewing task to complete each day.

Monday, July 19, 2010

This weekend our family will celebrate my parent's 50th wedding anniversary. My Mom wanted DD to make a picture board to have on display at the party. As we went through the pictures my Mom pointed out the outfits she made for both of us. Now I remembered most of the clothes she made me when I was older, but I had forgotten the capes and dresses she made when I was little. I thought those who enjoy the vintage designs would enjoy seeing what she created.

We lived in a small two bedroom row home. My mom had her machine set up in a corner of the dinning room. From her sewing nook, she could watch TV and still be part of the family discussions. Every Christmas, she would make outfits for me. I looked forward to seeing what creations she had planned. Some of the clothes she made were sewn on a beautiful treadle machine that she had up-dated with a motor. Her next machine was a Singer. She still has both those machines. Both still work. What a joy it has been to reminisce.

Where did her love of sewing come from? Her mother sewed, crocheted and knitted. I still have sweaters that my Grandmother made. My Mother still has all her mother's knitting needles along with knitting and crocheting instruction booklets. Priceless. Just priceless.

So the legacy marches on. My daughter has already crocheted baby gifts and clothes. Just this summer, she hinted at an interest in sewing her clothes.

Monday, July 5, 2010

This is the latest sewing project. This blouse gave me some trouble. First the back is cut on the bias and when I made a muslin, the back had ripples everywhere. So I searched blogs to see if anyone had made this pattern and had the same issues. After some searching, I found someone had cut the back and front piece on the straight of grain instead of bias. That is what I did.

There are still some fitting issues, but it is wearable. I have received compliments, so I will continue to wear it. Also, I have a purple sweater that looks great with it. If anyone has any advice for this pattern, please let me know.

The fabric was from JoAnn's. It is a poly silky fabric that I starched before sewing to help ease some of the issues of sewing slinky fabric. Some reviewers did not use the facings,but I liked the results using them. I will not make this again which is a shame, because I like the style. I just could not get the fit I wanted.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Well, I have been absent for awhile. There are a few reasons. First, our camera broke. Second, lacrosse season started, school year finished (means grades/report cards/meetings/pack up room). Third, we have been at the beach.

While at the beach my man decided it was time to get a new camera!!! Yea!! So, I will have pictures of sewing and family activities.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Well it has been a while since I have posted. Holidays and school report cards took to much of my time and energy. I have a few other thoughts I want to share, but that is for next time.

The following are my next projects. I am sewing with a purpose. The skirt is a tan poly wool like (is that even a type of fabric?). I will line it (something new to accomplish).

The blouse has been one of my stumbling blocks. I made two muslins. The back is on the bias. I had gaping fabric that I thought was from a sway back issue. I tried to fix the sway back problem using Sandra B.'s suggestions in "Power Sewing". It did help some. Then I saw My Fabrication. She kept the back on the straight of grain and put the front two pieces on the bias. Well I am going to give it a try. If anyone has made the "Threads" blouse, please send me your thoughts.

The S285O top will be made out the knit shown. All three pieces will work together.The skirt and blouse are cut out. The knit top is still on the cutting table.

Final Thoughts

Well lacrosse season starts for DS. As I am sure you have seen on the news, we were hit with two BIG snow storms in Maryland. There is no place to practice outside and our indoor field house is waiting to be cleared by engineers. It appears that while our girls were practicing basketball, the hoops were getting very easy to dunk-- the ceiling started to sag!!!! I have not taught school since Feb. 4th. We are expecting more snow this week!!!